JUVENTUS are ready to tempt Manchester City into selling Brazilian hitman Gabriel Jesus – by offering winger Douglas Costa in a swap deal.
Costa, 29, worked with City boss Pep Guardiola during his spell as Bayern Munich manager.
Juventus want to offer Douglas Costa (left) in a swap deal for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus
Jesus has been largely a substitute during his four-year Etihad career.
His agent, Giovanni Branchini, has refused to rule out that the 23-year-old could move to Juventus in the future.
He confirmed that the South American star, 23, would only leave the club if he was no longer wanted by Guardiola.
Costa has become a fringe player at Juve, featuring in just 14 of their 26 Serie A matches before the coronavirus disrupted the season.
Jesus has scored 37 goals in 44 Premier League starts for City.
But he has been frustrated at his inability to replace Sergio Aguero in attack permanently.
Now Juve, linked with a £59million move in February, are ready to test the water and Costa could be the ace card used to push the deal through, according to Italian media outlet Calcio Mercato.
They want to get rid of Argentine hitman Gonzalo Higuain after starting to lose their grip on the Serie A title.
Boss Maurizio Sarri thinks Jesus would be the ideal partner for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in a thrilling attack.
City might be ready to shake up their squad after falling way behind Liverpool in the Premier League this term.
Guardiola also needs wing options with Leroy Sane set to return to Germany and Raheem Sterling struggling to find his best form.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk